Improvement in fire-escapes



G. MARTIN. Fire-Escape.

Patented April 16,1878.

N.FETERS, FHDTO-LITHDGRAPHEH. WASrimLTQN. 0 C4 UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

GAYLORD MARTIN, OF MILWAUKEE, WISOON SIN.

lM PROVEMENT IN Fl RE-ESCAPES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 202,562, dated April 16, 1878; application filed July 21, 1877.

To all whom it'may concern Be it known that I, GAYLORD lVIARTIN, of the city of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of WVisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure l of the accompanying drawing represents a perspective view of my invention.

The object of my invention is to furnish a light portable ladder or fire-escape, which may be rolled up in such a compact and convenient shape that it may be accommodated in all ordinary apartments without inconvenience or disfiguring the same, and, if desired, may be easily carried from place to place; which may be readily and quickly managed, and descended without danger; and which may also be constructed at such small expense that it can be afforded by private persons, as well as in all places where the safety of the public requires their use, all of which is more fully explained by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which 7 A A represent the wire cables which form the sides of the ladder, and when used are suspended from an upper window or door of a building. D are the steps of the ladder. They are secured to the cable A at convenient distances apart, and are prevented from sliding upward or downward upon them by the knots O in the cable. The steps D are each constructed from one piece of metal, consisting in step-rod D and bracketsE and F. The bracket F extends inward toward and rests against the wall of the building, thus causing the ladder to hang a convenient distance from the wall of the building to which it is attached, that persons descending it may have no difliculty in placing their feet upon the steps of the ladder.

The foot-rests or steps D and brackets E are provided with holes through their ends for the accommodation of the cable A, which is first passed through one hole, when ahalfknot is tied, and then through the other hole, leaving the knot 0 between the end of the foot-rest D and the end of the bracket E, which prevents the step from being slid either upward or downward. G is a roller, to which the lower end of the ladder is attached and upon which it is wound when not in use. H H are flanges to the roller, which facilitate in winding up the ladder and holding it upon the roller.

When it is intended to use the ladder, the roller, with the ladder coiled upon it, is dropped from the window of the building, the upper end being first securely attached thereto, when the ladder is unrolled by its own gravity, and extends itself toward the ground, when it is ready to be descended. v

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination of roller G, having flanges H H, with cord A, having knots O, and steps D, having brackets E and F, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GAYLORD MARTIN. Witnesses:

K. SHAWVAN, J AS. B. ERWIN. 

